Scaffold and platform



Feb. 21, 1967 o. scHAR 3,305,046

' SCAFFOLD AND PLATFORM Filed April 15, 1965 K k m mvewr x 56 R S C HA R ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,305,046 SCAFFOLD AND PLATFORM Oskar Schar, Rohrbach, near Huttwil, Bern, Switzerland, assignor to Conrad Kern A.G., Zurich, Switzerland Filed Apr. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 448,445

Claims priority, application Switzerland, Apr. 21, 1964,

5,100/ 64 6 Claims. (Cl. 182-179) The present invention has reference to an improved supporting framework or stand formed of metal tubes and footpaths or gangways adapted to serve as facade framework and scaffold, as protecting and cleaning framework and as internal framework. Moreover, the inventive supporting framework is of the type incorporating ladder-like vertically disposed columns arranged transverse to the plane of the framework.

Different types of frameworks formed of metal tubes are already known to the art. In contrast with such known frameworks the present invention concerns itself with the construction of an improved framework which is stable and can be quickly erected, wherein the boards or planks are simultaneously employed for bracing the rods or tubes of the framework, so that it is not necessary to employ the previously conventional horizontal connecting struts.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is directed to an improved construction of framework which is sturdy and robust in construction, capable of supporting considerable loads, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, exhibits relatively few parts, thus being easy to assemble as well as disassemble.

Now, the framework designed according to the teachings of the present invention is characterized by the features that, the individual frame units incorporating substantially vertical columns are connected in plug-like manner with the members defining the footpaths and are braced towards one another by means of such footpath defining members. According to a preferred structural manifestation the connecting elements for interconnecting the frame units and footpath defining members can be plate members connected to the four corners of a board or plank for instance providing the member defining a footpath or gangway. More specifically, such plate members project past the front and side edges of the associated board and each plate member possesses a recess engaging about a column of the framework. Both plate members at one end of the board could be connected at the same side or face whereas the other two plate members at the other end of the same board could be connected at the other side or face thereof. On the other hand, it is equally possible to connect all four plate members at the same side or face of the plank or board. Furthermore, the aforesaid recess of each plate member which engages about the associated column of the framework can be substantially of semicircular configuration.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of inventive supporting framework or stand;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view, somewhat on an enlarged scale, showing details of the framework depicted in FIGURE 1 including the connecting elements provided at the boards of the framework;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of a plank or board member showing details of the connecting elements attached to the same face of the end portions of such board member, and for convenience in illustration having the central region of such board member removed; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, yet showsite surface or face. On the other ing the connecting elements at opposite ends of the board member disposed at opposite faces thereof.

Describing now the drawing, in the exemplary embodiment of supporting framework or stand F designed according to the teachings of the present invention and depicted in FIGURE 1 it will be seen that such incorporates individual frame units A each comprising two columns 1 and 2 preferably fomed of metal tubes 1a and 2a respectively. The columns 1 and 2 are provided with means interconnecting such with one another, here shown to comprise a crosspiece or bar 3 and are stiffened by means of a tube bend means 4 or the like. The upright columns 1 and 2 which extend from one board or plank 5 to the next are fitted into one another by any suitably known means, for instance plugs or pins, and for which reason are not further illustrated in the drawing.

In the illustrated embodiment of framework F depicted in FIGURE 1, by way of example, three columns 1 or 2 are interfitted or telescoped within one another, so that the resulting framework is three stories high, as depicted. The adjacently arranged individual frame units A are connected with one another by means defining a way, such as the quadrangular boards or planks 5, in the manner best shown by referring to FIGURE 2.

As clearly seen by inspecting FIGURES 2 and 3 the board or planks 5 have opposite substantially parallel front faces 5a and side faces 5b and exhibit at each of their four corners a respective connecting element in the form of a plate member 6 which is connected to the relevant board or plank 5 by suitable fastening means 7, assumed to be four rivets or screws for example. It will further be recognized that the plate members 6 project past the corresponding front face or edge 5a as well as side face or edge 51) of the board 5. Each plate member 6 possesses a substantially semicircular shaped recess 8 wherein the central point 8a of its bounding wall 8b is located in a plane generally designated XX and containing the side surface or edge 5b of the board member (see FIG- URE 3).

If, according to the showing of FIGURE 2 two planks or boards 5 are arranged against one another such that their confronting side faces or surfaces 5b contact one another, then both recesses 8 of both plate members 6 which are connected to the abutting confronting corners of the respective planks 5 are aligned with respect to one another and both such recesses 8 of such plate members 6 can engage about the corresponding column 1 or 2. It will further be recognized that the plate members 6 at the right side of the left-hand plank 5 of FIGURE 2 overlie the corresponding plate members arranged at the left side of the underface of the right-hand plank member 5. Moreover, these last-mentioned lower plate members 6 bear against the crosspiece 3 which interconnects the columns 1 and 2.

In order to stiffen the framework or stand F there are further provided struts 9 as well as rail rods or struts 10 which are connected in suitable known manner to the columns 2 for instance. Above all, the struts 9 fulfil the function of preventing lateral collapsing of the framework F in the lengthwise direction of the planks or boards 5.

As previously mentioned, both of the plate members 6 at one end of a given plank or board 5 can be connected to the same surface or face thereof, whereas both of the other plate members 6 at the other end of the same board 5 can be connected at the other face thereof. Such an arrangement is shown in FIGURE 4 where the plate members 6 at the left of the board 5 are arranged at one surface or face and those at the right at the oppohand, it is also possible, as shown in FIGURE 3, to arrange all four plate escapee 3 members 6 at the same surface or side of the board or plank 5.

The assembly of the described framework or stand F t-akesplace in the usual manner in that two frame units A incorporating the columns 1 and 2, the connecting crosspiece 3 and the tube bend means 4 are erected next to one another and interconnected by the struts 9, the rail struts 10 and a board or plank 5. Thereafter, further frame units A can be arranged adjacent to those which have already been erected and then in similar manner the superimposed levels or stories can be assembled in that, in each case, one frame unit A is inserted into the associated frame unit of the lower story. It will further be appreciated that the columns 1 and 2 preferably formed of metal tube members and the plate members 6 with the recesses 8 provide a plug-like interconnecting arrangement between the board members 5 and the frame units A. This so-called plug-like connection is particularly then apparent if the columns 1 and 2 are considered as the male connecting elements and the plate members 6 with their recesses 8 as the female connecting elements.

The advantages of such plate members 6 provided at the planks or boards 5 should be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art. Due to the provision of such plate members, the boards 5 can take-up traction so that the otherwise usual horizontal connecting struts beneath the boards are no longer necessary. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary that the boards 5 at their end regions lie above one another or in superimposed fashion, so that for the same spacing from one frame unit A to the next shorter boards 5 can be employed, the length of which correspond exactly to this spacing. It will also be understood that, by way of example, sheet metal or a suitable plastic or other synthetic material can be used for the construction of such plate members 6.

While there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A scaffold, comprising: a plurality of vertically releasab-ly interconnected and horizontally spaced independent frame units, each unit including a pair of spaced vertical metal columns and horizontal support means connecting together the columns of a unit, said columns being releasably conneotable with those of a similar frame unit located vertically above; a horizontal rectangular platform extending between each two neighboring pairs of horizontally spaced frame units and supported by the said support means of each unit, said platform having upper and lower horizontal surfaces; a flat metal plate at each corner of said platform rigidly mounted on at least one of said upper and lower horizontal surfaces, said plate projecting beyond the two sides of the platform converging to form the corresponding corner; a recess in each of said plates for accepting a corresponding one of said metal columns, said recess being located in the portion of the plate projecting beyond a platform side extending between the neighboring pairs of horizontally spaced frame units; and at least one strut detacha bly connecting together corresponding columns of each two neighboring horizontally spaced frame units.

2. The scaffold as defined in claim 1, including two such struts, a horizontal strut and an inclined strut.

3. The scaffold as defined in claim 1, wherein said columns are round in cross section and said recess is substantially hemispherical.

4. The scaffold as defined in claim 1, wherein for each said platform a pair of said plates corresponding to the same frame unit are mounted on said upper horizontal surface and the other pair of said plates is mounted on said lower horizontal surface.

5. The scaffold as defined in claim 1, wherein for each said platform said plates are mounted on the same one of said upper and lower horizontal surfaces.

6. The scaffold as defined in claim 1, wherein for the plates corresponding to the same frame unit for horizontally neighboring plates, the pair of plates of one platform and of the other platform are located on different ones of said upper and lower horizontal surfaces.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,501 3/1896 Ennis 182-222 2,261,831 11/1941 Farr l82-223 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,239,881 7/1960 France.

9,643 5/1895 Great Britain. 310,770 1/1956 Switzerland.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SCAFFOLD, COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTED AND HORIZONTALLY SPACED INDEPENDENT FRAME UNITS, EACH UNIT INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED VERTICAL METAL COLUMNS AND HORIZONTAL SUPPORT MEANS CONNECTING TOGETHER THE COLUMNS OF A UNIT, SAID COLUMNS BEING RELEASABLY CONNECTABLE WITH THOSE OF A SIMILAR FRAME UNIT LOCATED VERTICALLY ABOVE; A HORIZONTAL RECTANGULAR PLATFORM EXTENDING BETWEEN EACH TWO NEIGHBORING PAIRS OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED FRAME UNITS AND SUPPORTED BY THE SAID SUPPORT MEANS OF EACH UNIT, SAID PLATFORM HAVING UPPER AND LOWER HORIZONTAL SURFACES; A FLAT METAL PLATE AT EACH CORNER OF SAID PLATFORM RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON AT LEAST ONE OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER HORIZONTAL SURFACES, SAID PLATE PROJECTING BEYOND THE TWO SIDES OF THE PLATFORM CONVERGING TO FORM THE CORRESPONDING CORNER; A RECESS IN EACH OF SAID PLATES FOR ACCEPTING A CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID METAL COLUMNS, SAID RECESS BEING LOCATED IN THE PORTION OF THE PLATE PROJECTING BEYOND A PLATFORM SIDE EXTENDING BETWEEN THE NEIGHBORING PAIRS OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED FRAME UNITS; AND AT LEAST ONE STRUT DETACHABLY CONNECTING TOGETHER CORRESPONDING COLUMNS OF EACH TWO NEIGHBORING HORIZONTALLY SPACED FRAME UNITS. 